Method for using chemical thermodynamics to buffer the voltage of electric circuits and power systems

ABSTRACT

A method for buffering the voltage of an electric system that undergoes transient voltage changes includes the step of placing a new load upon the electric system by electrically connecting at least one electrochemical device to the electric system so that electrical current flows from the electric system to the electrochemical device. Also included are the steps of causing at least one electrochemical reaction to occur within the at least one electrochemical device; varying the new load placed upon the electric system as transient voltage changes in the electric system occur; and changing the electrical current from the electric system to the electrochemical device in a manner that retards transient voltage changes in the electric system that would occur in the absence of the steps of placing, causing, and varying. The step of causing electrochemical reactions may include using water electrolysis to produce a product that is a fuel, and the method may further include producing electric power and delivering it to the electric system. The electrochemical devices used in the method may apply chemical thermodynamics to retard increasing and decreasing electric system voltage transients and cause the transient electric system voltage to remain within a pre-specified voltage range. The method may also include connecting one or more voltage support units to provide electric power.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of maintaining voltagestability in electric circuits, electrical power systems, or grids and,in particular, relates to a method for buffering the voltage of electriccircuits and electric power transmission and distribution systems duringtransient undervoltage and overvoltage conditions.

BACKGROUND

Electricity is a prime and constant requirement for unhindered andsmoothly running operations throughout the world, and electric power isa cornerstone technology upon which public and private organizationsdepend. The task of supplying electrical power on a reliable basis isaccomplished by electric power systems. Conventional electrical powersystems have a burden of providing continuous transmission anddistribution of electrical power from sources of power generation whichcan suddenly change their power output levels to various consumers whodraw power in varying, often rapidly fluctuating amounts, from theelectrical power systems to which they are connected. Electric powertransmission and distribution systems are also called power grids, orsimply, grids.

Demand and consumption of electrical power is ever increasing. Thatdemand places substantial strain on power grids. Recent and continuingadditions of wind- and solar-based electrical generation to the powergrids has increased power delivery complexity as these sources are proneto cease or increase generation without prior notice or planning as aresult of unmanageable changes in the environment such as a passingcloud. Cascading power outages can occur as a result of variousfluctuations in voltage of connected power grids. Such outages (c.f.,the 2005 and 2011 Southwestern U.S. and Mexico regional blackouts, the1965, 1977, and 2003 Northeastern U.S. and Canada regional blackouts,the 2006 Franco-German blackout, and the 1999 Southern Brazil blackout)result in disruptions of government and public services, industry andprivate lives that cause significant economic losses and deaths.

Control of grid voltage is important for proper operation of electricalpower equipment. Without proper voltage control, connected electricalequipment can be damaged or destroyed by overheating. Voltage collapsecan occur as a result of an increase in load on power grids orinsufficient generation of electric power. Voltage increase can occur asa result of an increase in generation or a decrease in load. Also,various natural or man-made phenomena, including electromagnetic pulses,can increase grid voltage above design levels.

Conventional Transmission and Distribution systems are designed tooperate at a nominal voltage with minimum and maximum voltage limits forboth abnormal and emergency operation specified and establishedaccording to safety guidelines for equipment protection. However, whenpower demand surges or generation is reduced, grid voltage mayundesirably decrease towards or below a lower voltage limit or mayundesirably increase towards or above an upper voltage limit.

Conventional systems rely on human operators or properly programmedcomputers to reconfigure the grid system to control fluctuations in thegrid voltage. Computers is meant to describe any programmable electronicdevice, such as a sensor. Following the protocol of conventionalsystems, a grid operator must: (i) observe or be alerted to voltagechanges occurring from power demand surges or generation reductions; and(ii) assess and respond by taking immediate actions to reconfigure thegrid to bring voltage back within an acceptable level. The existingsystems and methods for controlling reductions in transient grid voltagerequire action by an operator or a properly programmed and functioningcomputer to cause conventional electric power systems to shed some orall load connected to the system or to connect additional generation tothe system. Similarly, those existing systems and methods forcontrolling increases in transient grid voltage require action by anoperator or a properly functioning computer to add load onto the systemor to reduce or disconnect generation from the system. In addition, whenexternal electromagnetic pulses induce overvoltage, some conventionalsystems and methods attempt to respond by connecting a shunt once thepulse-generating event is detected to divert the pulse around vulnerableelectrical components via a low-inductance, high-current-capacity shuntcircuit.

Conventional systems and methods for controlling the grid voltage inresponse to transient undervoltage and overvoltage conditions also arenot designed to take into account the substantial transient increase inelectrical energy in the electric power transmission and distributionsystems generally. Specifically, those conventional systems and methodsdo not take into account the voltages of the neutral phase that can becreated in a geomagnetically-induced voltage condition.

SUMMARY

The invention may be characterized as method for buffering the voltageof an electric system that undergoes transient voltage changes includesthe step of placing a new load upon the electric system by electricallyconnecting at least one electrochemical device to the electric system sothat electrical current flows from the electric system to theelectrochemical device. Also included are the steps of causing at leastone electrochemical reaction to occur within the at least oneelectrochemical device; varying the new load placed upon the electricsystem as transient voltage changes in the electric system occur; andchanging the electrical current from the electric system to theelectrochemical device in a manner that retards transient voltagechanges in the electric system that would occur in the absence of thesteps of placing, causing, and varying. The step of causingelectrochemical reactions may include using water electrolysis toproduce a product that is a fuel, and the method may further includeproducing electric power and delivering it to the electric system. Theelectrochemical devices used in the method may apply chemicalthermodynamics to retard increasing and decreasing electric systemvoltage transients and cause the transient electric system voltage toremain within a pre-specified voltage range. The method may also includeconnecting one or more voltage support units to provide electric power.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method using chemicalthermodynamics to buffer grid voltage. The method employs agrid-voltage-control system comprised of one or more electrochemicaldevices for automatically and inherently controlling the voltage of anelectrical transmission and distribution grid system. Thegrid-voltage-control system (also referred to as the grid system) alsoincludes one or more transformers operationally coupled to at least oneof the transmission or distribution lines of the electrical grid system.When the grid system transmits alternating current, one or morerectifying devices is coupled to the electrical grid system through theone or more transformers to produce a proportionate direct current at adesired, constant fraction of the alternating current transmissionvoltage. When the grid system transmits direct current, a circuit iscoupled through the one or more suitable transformers such as Brentfordtransformers or precision resistor voltage dividers, to produce aproportionate direct current, at a desired, constant fraction of thedirect current transmission voltage. One or more electrochemical devicesis coupled to the grid system through the one or more transformers andthe proportionate direct current circuit, and the electrochemicaldevices are configured to produce one or more chemical-reaction productsvia an electrolysis process in which direct current is applied to achemical system to cause an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reactionin each of the electrochemical devices, and a voltage support unit iscoupled to the grid system through the one or more transformers. Thevoltage support unit is configured as a contingency electric powergenerator to increase the grid voltage during severe under-voltagetransients by utilizing oxidation and reduction of one or morechemical-reaction products produced by the above-describedelectrochemical devices.

In an embodiment to the present disclosure, the method includes avoltage control system for automatically and inherently controlling thevoltage of an electric circuit. The voltage control system includes oneor more connections to an electric circuit; and, when the circuitcarries alternating current, one, or more rectifying devices coupled tothe electric circuit to produce a proportionate direct current at adesired, constant fraction of the alternating current circuit voltage;or, when the circuit carries direct current, a circuit coupled to thecircuit through the one or more suitable transformers, such as Brentfordtransformers or precision resistor voltage dividers, to produce aproportionate direct current at a desired, constant fraction of thedirect current circuit voltage; one or more electrochemical devicescoupled to the electric circuit through the one or more transformers andthe proportionate direct current circuit, the one or moreelectrochemical devices configured to produce one or more reactionproducts by carrying out an electrolysis process in which direct currentis applied to a chemical system to drive an otherwise non-spontaneouschemical reaction in each of the one or more electrochemical devices anda voltage support unit coupled to the electric circuit through the oneor more transformers.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, an overvoltage abovethe characteristic chemical thermodynamics Standard Reference Potentialfor a labile species (hereinafter known as “standard reference potentialover-voltage”) is supplied to the electrochemical device to overcomethermodynamic non-idealities of the apparatus and its electrochemicalsystem in order to reduce a labile species.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the chemicalthermodynamics of the method's grid voltage control unit providesfeedback to the electrical transmission and distribution grid system inopposition to transient voltage changes of the electric system when thegrid voltage decreases below a specified nominal operating voltage ofthe electrical transmission and distribution grid system. In anotherembodiment of the present method disclosure, the method's voltagesupport unit reduces the electrical demand of the load by utilizingNernstian behavior of labile ions of the electrochemical systemapplicable at the concentration and electrode conditions of each of theone or more electrochemical devices coupled to the electricaltransmission and distribution grid system. The Nernstian behavior ofelectrochemical reactions is utilized to reduce the load coupled to theelectrical grid system and retard further decreases of the grid voltageduring transient under-voltage conditions. In yet another embodiment ofthe present method disclosure, the chemical thermodynamics of themethod's grid voltage control unit also provides feedback by terminatingthe electrical demand loading of one or more electrochemical devicesload coupled to the electrical transmission and distribution gridsystem. The electrical demand of the load is terminated when theproportionate direct current (DC) voltage that is proportionate to thegrid voltage dropping to a design operational voltage limit of the gridand provided to the one or more electrochemical devices decreases belowthe standard reference potential overvoltage of a labile ion associatedwith each of the one or more electrochemical devices.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the chemicalthermodynamics of the method's voltage control unit provides feedback toan electric system or circuit in opposition to transient voltage changesof the electric system or circuit when the system or circuit voltageincreases above a specified nominal operating voltage of the electricsystem or circuit. In another embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, the voltage control unit automatically reduces an excessivegrid voltage on the electrical grid system of the electrical grid systemby utilizing the one or more electrochemical devices coupled to theelectrical grid system. In an embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, the method's voltage control unit is configured to controlthe grid voltage of the electrical grid system when the grid voltageincreases above the specified nominal voltage by adding load to theelectrical grid system. In yet another embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, the voltage support unit increases the electrical demand ofthe load by utilizing Nernstian behavior of labile ions of theelectrochemical system applicable at the concentration and electrodeconditions of each of the one or more electrochemical devices coupled tothe electrical transmission and distribution grid system. The Nernstianbehavior of electrochemical reactions is utilized to increase the loadcoupled to the electrical grid system and retard further increases ofthe grid voltage during transient over-voltage conditions.

In an embodiment to the present disclosure, the theories, conclusions,and formulae of legendary electrochemists Walther Nernst, John Butler,Max Vollmer, and Julius Tafel are independently validated, supported,and explained by use of Chemical Thermodynamics in which the chemicalpotential of an electrochemical system in an electrochemical apparatusis the difference between the energy barriers for taking electrons fromand for giving electrons to the working electrode that is setting thesystem's electrochemical potential.

In an embodiment to the present disclosure, much of loading upon atransmission line is by inductive loads. The bulk of inductive loadsserved by the transmission line are inductive alternating current motorloads. As long as an alternating current motor is working reasonablyclose to its design parameters its speed will be essentially constant.Its load will apply a torque to the motor shaft and this torquemultiplied by the speed defines the load (mechanical power). If thespeed is constant most loads (e.g., pumps and compressors) will demand afixed torque so the motor will see a fixed mechanical power demand evenas voltage varies. For a change in voltage without a change in frequencythe motor will attempt to continue to run at the same speed. The voltageis supplied by the transmission line to the motor. The product ofvoltage and current is the electrical power to the motor. The motordraws current to make its electrical power intake equal its mechanicalpower output. If the transmission line drops the voltage supplied, themotor will automatically compensate by drawing more current to keep theproduct of voltage and current a constant. The change in current followsOhm's law and becomes an increasing load on the transmission line whichdrives the transmission line voltage even lower. The derivative ofcurrent with respect to current is a constant indicating that theincrease in transmission line loading is a linear function of thetransmission line voltage decrease. In contrast, the response of anelectrochemical device to a reduction in applied voltage is a reductionof load as the reaction slows down. The relationship between voltage andcurrent for an electrochemical device is governed by chemicalthermodynamics and commonly referred to as Nernstian behavior. TheNernstian behavior of an electrochemical cell considering that both acathodic and an anodic reaction occur on the same electrode can beexpressed by the Butler-Volmer equation which describes how theelectrical current on an electrode depends on the electrode potential.The derivative of current with respect to voltage in the Butler-Volmerequation is an exponential function revealing that the decrease inloading of an electrochemical device upon the transmission line isexponential when transmission line voltage decreases. It also revealsthat the increase in loading of an electrochemical device upon thetransmission line is exponential when transmission line voltageincreases. Hence, the exponential changes in the loading of anelectrochemical device can oppose and buffer the linear changes inloading of inductive loads during voltage transients either up or down.

In an embodiment to the present disclosure, the Butler-Volmer equationincludes consideration of non-Nernstian behavior encountered inelectrochemical systems at high voltages when labile ion transport tothe surface of an electrode is impeded by congestion of labile ions asindependently expressed in the Tafel Equation.

In an embodiment to the present disclosure, the capability of the gridvoltage control unit electrochemical devices to fully terminate a steptransient voltage event within a specified transmission voltage controlrange depends upon the sizing of the electrochemical devices andcharacteristics of the inductive and resistive loads upon the grid andupon design current losses peculiar to long transmission lines and uponthe characteristic current and voltage relationships of the particularelectrochemical device apparatus. The balancing of aggregate current andvoltage relationships appears somewhat functionally similar to thecharacteristic acid-base balancing that occurs in wet chemistry pHbuffers and that terminology has been adopted to describe theelectrochemical device capability to offset a step transient over- orunder-voltage event. In a further embodiment to the present disclosure,the sizing of an electrochemical device to fully buffer and retard adesired range of step transient voltage events can be determined bysolving a four factor differential equation at boundary conditionsrepresentative of the desired voltage control range. The four factorsneeded to determine the buffer capacity of a grid voltage control unitare the derivatives of current with respect to voltage for inductiveloads, resistive loads, long distance transmission losses, and the loadsof the particular electrochemical devices selected for use in the gridvoltage control unit. In a further embodiment to the present disclosure,the change in current for inductive loads follows Ohm's law, E=IR whereR is the impedance. Rewriting,

I=E/R

Therefore the derivative of Current with respect to voltage, dI/dE canbe written as a constant:

1/R

Purely resistive loads such as heaters will also follow Ohm's law andhave a constant as their derivative as well. However, as long as they donot require a constant power, as does a controlled-speed inductivemotor, their resistance stays the same as voltage drops. Thus, theyreduce current demand and power output when voltage drops. Were the gridevenly divided between resistive and inductive loads, the two effectswould essentially cancel each other out, ensuring voltage stability.However, the bulk of grid power supplies inductive loads giving the grida characteristic instability during undervoltage transients. It isprimarily this characteristic instability that the method of thisinvention cures in order to control grid voltage. The current in longtransmission lines as a function of spatial distance and time alsofollows Ohm's law but is expressed as the difference between theforward-propagating wave and the backwards-propagating wave. Thedifferential form reduces to:

dI/dE=f(t−z/v)/Z ₀ −g(t−z/v)Z ₀

Where: f(x) and g(x) are waveform functions for the forward andbackwards-propagating waves, respectively, and

-   -   z=spatial location (distance)    -   Z=impedance,    -   Z₀=intrinsic impedance,    -   v=velocity of propagation, and    -   t=time

Assuming constant design and environmental conditions along thetransmission line means that the differential form also essentiallybehaves as a constant, 1/Z₀

Therefore, the overall differential equation for grid power responsewith an electrochemical buffer is

dI/dE (inductive load kVA)+/−dI/dE (resistive load kVA)+/−dI/dE(transmission line configuration loading kVA)+/−dI/dE (electrochemicalbuffer load kVA)

The +/− assignments above depend upon whether voltage is increasing ordecreasing from the initial reference transmission line voltage.

The Nernstian behavior of an electrochemical cell considering that botha cathodic and an anodic reaction occur on the same electrode can beexpressed by the Butler-Volmer equation which describes how theelectrical current on an electrode depends on the electrode potential.Hence, the electrochemical component of the buffer sizing differentialequation can be obtained from the Butler-Vollmer Equation:

$I = {A \cdot j_{0} \cdot \{ {{\exp \lbrack {\frac{\alpha_{a}n\; F}{RT}( {E - E_{eq}} )} \rbrack} - {\exp \lbrack {{- \frac{\alpha_{c}n\; F}{RT}}( {E - E_{eq}} )} \rbrack}} \}}$

which uses standard chemical thermodynamics notation and nomenclature.

Rewriting as the derivative,

I=I _(ZERO)[exp(C1[E−E _(REF)])−I _(ZERO)[exp(C2[E−E _(REF)])

Where C 1 and C2 are the aggregate thermodynamic constants applicable tothe characteristics of the electrolyzer apparatus selection from theoriginal equation

Therefore, the derivative of Current with respect to the voltagesupplied to the electrolyzer, dI/dE can be written as:

dI/dE=((C1[E−E _(REF)])exp(C1[E−E _(REF)])−1)−(C2[E−E _(REF)]exp((C2[E−E_(REF)]−1)

Therefore, the overall differential equation to be solved at theboundary conditions to size the electrochemical grid buffer to fullyterminate voltage changes within the specified transmission voltagecontrol range is, for a transmission line of constant design andenvironmental conditions:

dI/dE(inductive load kVA)+/−dI/dE(resistive load kVA)+/−dI/dE(transmission line

configuration loading kVA)+/−dI/dE(electrochemical buffer loadkVA)=0=1/R _(INDUCTIVE)+/−1/R _(RESISTIVE)+/−1/Z ₀+/−((C1 [E−E_(REF)])exp(C1[E−E _(REF)])−1−(C2[E−E _(REF)]exp((C2[E−E _(REF)]−1)

In the event the transmission line has variable design and environmentalconditions the net differential equation may be solved piecemeal as afunction of distance. This condition is rare and hence of littleinterest to the present disclosure. As before, the +/− assignments abovedepend upon whether voltage is increasing or decreasing from the initialreference voltage. In another embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, there is an apparent amplification of the load changes thatthe one or more electrochemical devices place upon the grid when voltagevaries compared to that of other, non-electrochemical device grid loadsas the load of the one or more electrochemical devices will changeexponentially as voltage varies away from the desired nominal valuewhile inductive loads will change in a linear fashion. Therefore, arelatively small nominal load of one or more electrochemical devices canprovide transient voltage stability when the much greater connectedinductive loads vary linearly during voltage transients

In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the grid voltagecontrol unit together with its voltage support unit provides ancillaryservices of regulation, operating reserve, black-start, and reactivepower to the grid. The term “ancillary services” is used to refer to thevariety of operations beyond generation and transmission that arerequired to maintain grid stability and security. Ancillary services arespecialty services and functions provided to the electric grid thatfacilitate reliability and support the continuous flow of electricity sothat supply will always meet demand. The United States Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission states: “Ancillary services maintain electricreliability and support the transmission of electricity.” They identifyfour different kinds of ancillary services: regulation, operatingreserves, black-start, and reactive power in their Energy Primer: AHandbook of Energy Market Basics, July 2015 at page 55.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the method furtherincludes a voltage support unit coupled to the electrical grid system orcircuit which utilizes the one or more reaction products produced fromthe electrolysis of water as fuel to power a voltage support unit.

In yet another embodiment, the method's voltage support unitautomatically provides black start electrical power following systemseparation which may be used to restart major generation sources or toprovide emergency power to select grid customers. In another embodimentin which the proportionate direct current (DC) voltage is designed todrop below the standard reduction overpotential at a grid voltage abovethe specified system separation grid voltage the voltage support unitcan be activated automatically before system separation to raise thegrid voltage of the electrical grid system a nominal amount potentiallyavoiding system separation.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the voltagesupport unit coupled to the electrical grid system utilizes the one ormore reaction products produced from the electrolysis of water to raisethe grid voltage of the electrical grid system by performing the stepsof drawing hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage unit; supplying thehydrogen drawn from the hydrogen storage unit to a hydrogen-fueledcombustion driven-electrical generator for powering the electricalgenerator through a hydrogen supply line and raising the grid voltage ofthe electrical grid system by supplying the electrical grid system withelectrical power produced by the electrical generator. In yet anotherembodiment of the present method disclosure, the electrical generatorutilized for the production of the real and reactive power is a hydrogencombustion turbine-driven electrical generator. In another embodiment,one or more storage units contains reserve aqueous electrolyte at apressure head sufficient to replenish the electrochemical device whenneeded.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the hydrogensupply line is associated with a supply valve for enabling contingentsupply of stored hydrogen to the electrical generator. The supply valveopens automatically when current in each of the one or moreelectrochemical devices drops to zero because the proportionate directcurrent (DC) voltage supplied to the electrochemical device has droppedbelow the standard reference potential overvoltage in the mannerdiscussed at pp. 4-5 above.

In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the voltagesupport unit is further configured to raise the grid voltage of theelectrical grid system by utilizing at least one or more fuel cells and,if the electrical grid system carries alternating current (AC), one ormore inverters coupled to the electrical grid system.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of theone or more fuel cells is coupled to a hydrogen storage unit.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the voltagesupport unit raises the grid voltage of the electrical grid system byinducing reaction of the hydrogen and oxygen in each of the one or morefuel cells.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of theone or more fuel cells is associated with one or more valves forenabling supply of the hydrogen from one or more hydrogen storage unitsand the oxygen from one or more oxygen storage units. The valve isopened automatically when the current in each of the one or moreelectrochemical devices drops to zero because the proportionate directcurrent (DC) voltage supplied to the electrochemical device has droppedbelow the standard reference potential overvoltage in the mannerdiscussed in Paragraph 0010.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the hydrogensupply line valves to any voltage support unit may be opened by a localor remote grid operator to actuate the voltage support unit for anyreason at any time.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the loadingon the electrical grid system is increased based on an increase in areaction rate in each of the one or more electrolysis units. Theincrease in the reaction rate results from an increase in the gridvoltage of the electrical grid system of the electrical grid system. Inyet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the voltagesupport unit automatically reduces the excessive grid voltage on theelectrical grid system by increasing loading on the electrical gridsystem by utilizing the one or more electrochemical devices coupled tothe electrical grid system. In yet another embodiment of the presentmethod disclosure, the loading on the electrical grid system isincreased by utilizing the Nernstian behavior of the labile ions of theelectrochemical system applicable at the concentration and the electrodeconditions of each of the one or more electrochemical devices coupled tothe electrical grid system.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the increasein the loading on the electrical grid system retards an increase in thegrid voltage during a transient over-voltage condition.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the one ormore electrochemical devices is coupled to the neutral circuit of a gridtransformer to increase the loading on the electrical grid systemneutral circuitry and retard any voltage increase on the neutral circuitwhen an external event induces a voltage in this circuitry. By doing sothe method avoids overheating of the grid transformer protecting it fromsevere damage. In yet another embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, the one or more electrochemical devices are configured tocapture an excessive amount of external event-induced electrical energyfrom the electrical grid system; convert the captured excessive amountof the electrical energy into a chemical form of potential energy andstore the chemical potential energy in one or more storage units.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the voltage controlunit utilizes the Nernstian behavior of the labile ions of theelectrochemical system applicable at the concentration and the electrodeconditions of each of the one or more electrochemical devices coupled tothe electrical grid system for controlling the grid voltage within thedesign and operating limits without voltage monitoring and operatoraction.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of the one ormore electrochemical devices is configured to perform the electrolysisof water.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the one or morereaction products are produced by carrying out the electrolysis of wateris hydrogen and oxygen.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, a value of theproportionate direct current (DC) voltage supplied for the electrolysisof water is greater than the value of the standard reference potentialrequired for performing the electrolysis of water under idealthermodynamic conditions.

In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the value of theproportionate DC voltage potential is greater than or less than thevalue of the standard reference potential by an amount or percentage.

In yet another embodiment of the present method disclosure, the amountor percentage is based on physical characteristics of theelectrochemical device apparatus and its contained chemical system.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the system furtherincludes a storage unit for storing the hydrogen produced by theelectrolysis of water in each of the one or more electrolysis units.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the system furtherincludes a storage unit for storing the oxygen produced by theelectrolysis of water in each of the one or more electrolysis units. Inanother embodiment, one or more storage units contains reserve aqueouselectrolyte at a pressure head sufficient to replenish theelectrochemical device when needed.

In another aspect of the present method disclosure, thegrid-voltage-control system for raising grid voltage of an electricalgrid system during transient under-voltage conditions. Thegrid-voltage-control system includes one or more electrochemical devicesoperationally coupled to transmission lines of the electrical gridsystem, the one or more electrochemical devices is configured to provideone or more reaction products by performing electrolysis; one or morestorage units to store the one or more reaction products; a voltagesupport unit coupled to the one or more electrochemical devices and theone or more storage units, the voltage support unit is configured totrigger supply of a reaction product of the one or more reactionproducts stored in a storage unit to an electrical generator coupled;generate electrical power from the electrical generator coupled to theelectrical grid system by utilizing the supplied reaction product; andproviding the electrical power to the electrical grid system for raisingthe grid voltage of the electrical grid system.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the one or moreelectrochemical devices is operationally coupled to the electrical gridsystems by one or more transformers and one or more rectifying devicesfor enabling initiation of an electrochemical reaction in each of theone or more electrochemical devices.

In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of the oneor more electrochemical devices is an electrochemical cell.

In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of the oneor more electrochemical devices is a water electrolysis unit.

In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of the oneor more electrochemical devices is an organic semiconductor.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the one or morereaction products produced from electrolysis of water are hydrogen andoxygen.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the reaction productof the one or more reaction products supplied to the electricalgenerator is hydrogen.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the method's voltagesupport unit raises the grid voltage of the electrical grid system byutilizing Nernstian behavior of labile ions of the electrochemicalsystem labile ions of the electrochemical system of the electrochemicalsystem at concentration and electrode conditions of each of the one ormore electrochemical devices coupled to the electrical grid system.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the electricalgenerator utilized for the production of the real and reactive power isa hydrogen combustion-driven turbine generator.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, a supply line isassociated with a supply valve for enabling supplying of the hydrogen tothe electrical generator. The supply valve is opened automatically whencurrent in each of the one or more electrochemical devices drops to zeroduring the transient under-voltage conditions.

In yet another aspect of the present method disclosure, the method usesa grid-voltage-control system for raising grid voltage of an electricalgrid system during transient under-voltage conditions. Thegrid-voltage-control system includes one or more electrochemical devicescoupled to transmission lines of the electric power system, the one ormore electrochemical devices is configured to provide one or morereaction products by performing electrolysis; one or more storage unitsto store the one or more reaction products; a voltage support unitcoupled to each of the one or more storage units, the voltage supportunit includes one or more fuel cells and one or more inverters, thevoltage support unit is configured to receive the one or more reactionproducts from each of the one or more storage units and induce reactionbetween each of the one or more reaction products in each of the one ormore fuel cells. The voltage support unit raises the grid voltage of theelectrical grid system by utilizing the induced reaction, one or morefuel cells, and, if the electrical grid system carries alternatingcurrent, each of the one or more inverters. In an embodiment of thepresent method disclosure, the one or more electrochemical devices areconfigured for performing electrolysis of water. In an embodiment of thepresent method disclosure, the one or more reaction products arehydrogen and oxygen.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of the one ormore fuel cells is associated with a valve for enabling supply of theone or more reaction products from the corresponding one or more storageunits. The valve is opened automatically when the current in each of theone or more electrochemical devices drops to zero.

In yet another aspect of the present method disclosure, thegrid-voltage-control system for automatically reducing excessive gridvoltage on an electrical grid system. The grid-voltage-control systemincludes one or more electrochemical devices, the one or moreelectrochemical devices is coupled to the electrical grid system. Theone or more electrochemical devices are configured to add a load on theelectrical grid system at nominal grid voltage and to increase that loadon the electrical grid system to enable reduction of excessive gridvoltage on the electrical grid system. The load is added on theelectrical grid system based on a pre-determined criterion.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the pre-determinedcriterion includes drawing current from the electrical grid system byeach of the one or more electrochemical devices during the transientover-voltage conditions. The one or more electrochemical devices isconfigured to operate during the transient over-voltage conditions.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the one or moreelectrochemical devices is further configured to capture an excessiveamount of electrical energy from the electrical grid system; convert thecaptured excessive amount of the electrical energy into a chemical formof potential energy and store the potential energy in a storage unit.

In yet another aspect of the present method disclosure, thegrid-voltage-control system for protecting an electrical grid systemagainst a grid over-voltage condition includes one or moreelectrochemical devices coupled to the electrical grid system, the oneor more electrochemical devices is configured to increase a loading onthe electrical grid system by utilizing Nernstian behavior of each ofthe one or more electrochemical devices coupled to the electric powersystem and enable retardation of increase in grid voltage of theelectrical grid system of the electric power system by utilizing theincrease in the loading on the electrical grid system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a method forautomatically controlling the voltage of an electric circuit followingtransient, dynamic circuit changes using a voltage buffer with one ormore electrochemical devices, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram depicting an embodiment that canautomatically control the voltage of an electrical grid transmission anddistribution system following transient, dynamic circuit changes using agrid-voltage-control system with one or more, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic block diagram of an Alternating current (AC)grid-voltage-control system, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3B is a schematic block diagram of a DC grid-voltage-controlsystem, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram depicting fuel cell-based voltagesupport to an alternating current (AC) electrical grid system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram depicting a method version of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth to support the claims that follow.Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presenttechnology. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” is notnecessarily referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate oralternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by someembodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements aredescribed which may be requirements for some embodiments but not forother embodiments.

Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics forthe purposes of illustration, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat many variations and/or alterations to said details are within thescope of the present technology. Similarly, although many of thefeatures of the present technology are described in terms of each other,or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art willappreciate that many of these features can be provided independently ofother features.

The invention can be characterized, as will be described below inconnection with the drawings, as a buffer system for buffering thevoltage of an electric system that undergoes transient voltage changes.Electrical system could be an electrical circuit (EC) system, or anelectric power transmission and distribution (EPTD) system. The electricsystem includes at least one electrochemical device that places a newload on the electric system by being electrically connected to thatsystem so that electrical current flows from the electric system to theelectrochemical device. The at least one electrochemical device isconstructed to cause at least one reaction to occur within it, therebyvarying the new load placed upon the electric system as the increasingand decreasing transient voltage changes occur and causing changes inthe electrical current from the electric system to the electrochemicaldevice in a manner that retards transient voltage changes in theelectric system that would occur in the absence of the buffer system.

Also as will be described further below, the at least oneelectrochemical device may be constructed with a voltage buffer capacitythat is electrically connected to the electric system, and isconstructed to provide feedback generated by electrochemical reaction.That feedback may be generated by the chemical thermodynamics of theelectrochemical reaction. The buffer system may also include theelectric system itself, and the buffer system may use alternatingcurrent (AC) and direct current (DC).

The at least one electrochemical device may be constructed as a waterelectrolyzer, and may further include an electric turbogenerator inelectrical connection with the electric system. In that case, a supplyof water would also be included for use with the electrolyzer to allow awater electrolysis to occur. A combustible fuel would be produced by thewater electrolysis to drive the electric turbogenerator to produce ACelectric power for delivery to the electric system.

In the version of the buffer system where the electric system transmitsDC electric power, it will further included a current and voltagetransformation subsystem that is constructed to transform the ACproduced by the electric turbogenerator into DC at a voltage appropriatefor delivery to the electric system.

The at least one electrochemical device may also be constructed to usechemical thermodynamics to retard increasing and decreasing electricvoltage transients and, thereby, to cause the transient electric voltageto remain within one or more pre-specified voltage ranges. The at leastone electrochemical device may also be used in combination with theelectric power provided by one or more voltage support units, to causethe transient electric voltage to remain within one or morepre-specified voltage ranges.

The at least one electrochemical device may also be constructed asplural devices, such as multi-specie electrochemical devices andelectrochemical devices electrically connected in series and parallel.Those plural devices are constructed to buffer the voltage of theelectric system without requiring an increase in the physical dimensionsof the devices.

The voltage buffer capacity of the buffer system may also be constructedto be higher than the voltage buffer capacity required to buffer voltagerises from loss of loads in the electric system. That voltage buffercapacity may also be constructed to buffer the voltage of the electricsystem and, thereby, to protect the electric system from overvoltageconditions chosen from the group consisting of events caused by natureand by humans.

The electric system associated with, or part of, the buffer system, mayinclude a neutral circuit and, in that case, the at least oneelectrochemical device is electrically connected to the neutral circuitand is constructed to protect the electric system from an overvoltage,such as one that could be caused by external source of energy.

The at least one electrochemical device may also be electricallyconnected to the electric system in a way that provides ancillaryservices, as defined by the United States Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission to the electric system. Those ancillary services may involvesupplemental reserve capacity, voltage regulation, reactive power, orblack-start capability.

The invention may also be characterized as a method of a method forbuffering the voltage of an electric system that undergoes transientvoltage changes, including the step of placing a new load upon theelectric system by electrically connecting at least one electrochemicaldevice to it so that electrical current flows from the electric systemto the electrochemical device. There are also the steps of causing atleast one electrochemical reaction to occur within the at least oneelectrochemical device, and varying the new load placed upon theelectric system as transient voltage changes in the electric occur. Themethod also involves changing the electrical current from the electricsystem to the electrochemical device in a manner that retards transientvoltage changes in the electric system that would occur in the absenceof the steps of placing, causing, and varying.

The step of causing electrochemical reactions may include using waterelectrolysis to produce a product that is a fuel, and the method mayfurther include producing electric power and delivering it to theelectric system. The at least one electrochemical device may applychemical thermodynamics to retard increasing and decreasing electricvoltage transients and cause the transient electric voltage to remainwithin a pre-specified voltage range.

The method may also include the step of connecting one or more voltagesupport units to the electric system to provide electric power, and toretard increasing and decreasing electric voltage transients that causethe transient electric voltage to remain within a pre-specified voltagerange.

The at least one electrochemical device involved with the method mayhave a voltage buffer capacity that is higher than a buffer capacityrequired to buffer voltage rises from loss of all loads in the electricsystem. The electric system associated with the method may includeneutral circuitry, and the at least one electrochemical device used inthe method may be constructed with a buffer capacity to buffer thevoltage of the electric system neutral circuitry to protect the electricsystem from overvoltage conditions caused by geomagnetically-inducedvoltage transient events.

The method may also involve electrically connecting the at least oneelectrochemical device to the electric system to provide one or moreancillary services, such as supplemental reserve capacity, voltageregulation, reactive power, and black-start capability as defined by theU. S. Federal Electric Regulatory Commission.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general overview of a system 100 using thisapplication's method for automatically controlling a circuit voltage, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present method disclosure.The system 100 is configured to automatically control the voltageassociated with the electric circuit 102 by using an electrochemicaldevice 110 as a voltage buffer 108 to control the voltage of theelectric circuit. In addition, the system 100 is configured to retardincreases or decreases in the voltage 104 of the electric circuit 102during both transient under-voltage and over-voltage conditionsresulting from dynamic transient circuit changes 106 such as suddenincreases or reductions in load or power supply. Further, the system 100is configured to drive the voltage of the electric circuit 102 back tothe specified nominal level following the transient voltage conditionoccurrence.

The system 100 includes an electric circuit 102 and a voltage buffercontrol system 108. In an embodiment of the present method disclosure,the electric circuit 102 is an alternating current (AC) electric powertransmission and distribution system or electrical grid system 202 asshown in FIG. 2. In another embodiment of the present method disclosure,the electric circuit 102 is a direct current (DC) electric powertransmission and distribution system or electrical grid system 202.

FIG. 2 illustrates a general overview of a system 200 using anembodiment of this application's method for automatically controllingthe voltage of an electrical grid system 202. It may be noted that toexplain the system elements of FIG. 2, references will be made to thesystem elements of FIG. 1, FIGS. 3A, and FIG. 3B. The electrical gridsystem 202 is a network of electrical components configured forsupplying, transmitting and distributing electrical power. Theelectrical grid system may be either an AC electric power transmissionand distribution system or a DC electric power and distribution system(as described in Paragraph 0007) or any scaled or subdivided powersystem (such as a “microgrid”) that provides electric power to customerloads.

Going further, the method associates the electrical grid system 202 withthe grid-voltage-control system 208. In an embodiment of the presentmethod disclosure, the electrical grid system 202 is electricallycoupled to the grid-voltage-control system 208. In addition, theelectrical grid system 202 includes a load placed upon it to allow theautomatic control of grid voltage during transient grid under-voltageconditions and transient grid over-voltage conditions 206. Moreover, theload corresponds to an electrical load which is automatically increasedupon, reduced, or removed completely (also referred to as terminated)from the electrical grid system 202 by the method's grid-voltage-controlsystem 208 through the application of chemical thermodynamic propertiesof the method's grid-voltage-control system components.

Referring to FIG. 2, the oval that depicts transient voltage conditionsencompasses load changes, generation changes, operator switching, icing,fire, cable expansion or contraction, and any other conditions thatcause changes in voltage.

Further, as shown on FIG. 2, the grid-voltage-control system 208includes one or more units 208 a. Moreover, the electrical grid system202 is electrically coupled to the grid-voltage-control system 208through a unit of the one or more units 208 a of thegrid-voltage-control system 208 (elaborated in the detailed descriptionsof FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B). Furthermore, the grid-voltage-control system206 corresponds to a system configured by the method for automaticallycontrolling the grid voltage associated with the electrical grid system202. In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, thegrid-voltage-control system 208 controls transient fluctuations in thegrid voltage that are caused by dynamic, transient circuit changes 206in the electrical grid system 202. In an embodiment of the presentmethod disclosure, the one or more units 208 a of thegrid-voltage-control system 208 collectively control the grid voltage ofthe electrical grid system 202.

The grid-voltage-control system 208 automatically controls the gridvoltage of the electrical grid system 202 during transient under-voltageor over-voltage conditions.

Moreover, the grid-voltage-control system 208 controls the grid voltageof the electrical grid system 202 by utilizing oxidation and reductionreactions of one or more chemical species taking place in thegrid-voltage-control system 208 (as explained below in the detaileddescription of FIG. 3A and 2B). In addition, the grid-voltage-controlsystem 208 utilizes Nernstian behavior of one or more chemical speciesin an electrochemical device 214 to control the grid voltage of theelectrical grid system 202 during grid transient under-voltage orover-voltage condition. Also, in an embodiment to the method, thegrid-voltage-control system 208 provides contingency voltage support tothe electrical grid system 202 to raise the grid voltage during selectgrid under-voltage conditions.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, thegrid-voltage-control system 208 utilizes a pre-defined combination ofthe one or more units 208 a to provide voltage support to the electricalgrid system 202 during grid under-voltage conditions. Further, thegrid-voltage-control system 208 controls the grid voltage of theelectrical grid system 202 by reducing or terminating the electricaldemand of a load coupled to the electrical grid system 202 during gridunder-voltage conditions. Furthermore, the grid-voltage-control system206 controls the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 202 byadding a load on the electrical grid system 202 during grid over-voltageconditions.

FIG. 3A illustrates a block diagram 300 showing various units of an ACgrid-voltage-control system 208, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present method disclosure. It may be noted that to explain thesystem elements of FIG. 3A, references will be made to the systemelements of FIG. 2 and FIG. 2B. In addition, the components of the ACgrid-voltage-control system 208 are collectively configured forautomatically controlling the grid voltage of the electrical gridsystem. In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, thecomponents correspond to the one or more units 208 a of thegrid-voltage-control system 208. The AC grid-voltage-control system 208includes one or more transformers 210, one or more rectifying devices212, one or more electrochemical devices 214, one or more storage units216, and a voltage support unit 220. The above stated components of theAC grid-voltage-control system 208 collectively perform the automaticcontrol of the grid voltage of the AC electrical grid system 202.

It may be noted that in FIG. 3A, the grid-voltage-control system 208includes one or more transformers 210, one or more rectifying devices212, one or more electrochemical devices 214, such as electrolysisdevices, one or more storage units 216, and the voltage support unit220. Together, the aforementioned components of the system 208automatically control the grid voltage of the electrical grid system202. There are also multiple units of the grid-voltage-control system208 (utilizing AC voltage) or grid-voltage-control systems 258(utilizing DC voltage) which can also automatically control the gridvoltage of the electrical grid system 202. With respect toelectrochemical devices 214, they can be both electrolysis ones andnon-electrolysis ones. Examples of non-electrolysis ones areelectrolytic metal plating baths and electrolytic metal refiners, liquidor gel batteries, liquid or gel capacitors, and organic semiconductors.

Each of the one or more transformers 210 is associated with theelectrical grid system 202. Each of the one or more transformers 210 iselectrically coupled to the electrical grid system 202. In addition,each of the one or more transformers 210 is operationally coupled to thetransmission lines of the electrical grid system 202. The operationalcoupling of the one or more transformers 210 to the electrical gridsystem 202 is done through any medium presently known in the artincluding but not limited to metallic cable and metallic bus bars. Thecoupling is done to allow transfer of electrical energy flowing in thetransmission lines 204 to the one or more transformers 210 forperforming one or more operations (described below in the patentapplication).

Going further, one or more transformers 210 is configured for drawingthe high voltage AC flowing through the transmission lines 204 of theelectrical grid system 202. In an embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, each of the one or more transformers 210 draw voltage,whether there is a high-voltage, low-voltage, or normal voltagecondition.

The method requires that the AC grid-voltage-control system 208 have oneor more transformers 210 configured to step down the high voltage ACflowing through a transmission line 204 of the electrical grid system202 to provide a low voltage AC with a voltage approximately equal tothe standard reference potential overvoltage (described in paragraph0009) for the chemical systems in one or more electrochemical devices214 when grid voltage is at the lower operating voltage level permittedby the operating specifications of the grid. The high voltage AC isconsequently stepped down to voltages lower than the standard referencepotential overvoltage when the grid voltage of the electrical gridsystem 202 decreases below the desired lower operating grid voltagelevel and to voltages higher than the standard reference potentialovervoltage when the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 202increases above the lower operating grid voltage level. In an embodimentof the method when the electrical grid system transmits DC instead ofAC, the step down transformers 210 of the DC grid-voltage-control system258 provide low voltage DC at a voltage approximately equal to thestandard reference potential overvoltage when grid voltage is at thelower operating voltage level permitted by the operating specificationsof the grid.

Going further, one embodiment of the method requires that the lowvoltage AC output of the one or more step down transformers 210 isoperationally coupled to one or more rectifying devices 212 to convertthe AC to DC at the same or nearly the same voltage. In an embodiment ofthe present method disclosure, if the high voltage grid is DC, the stepdown transformer will be a Brentford transformer or similar device suchas a precision resistor voltage divider. If the high voltage grid is DCinstead of AC, no rectifying devices need be connected to the output ofthe step down transformers.

Further, the electrical coupling between the one or more transformers210 and the one or more rectifying devices 212 is done through anymedium presently known in the art as suitable to transfer high currentlow voltage DC including but not limited to metallic cable or metallicbus bars. The coupling of each of the one or more rectifying devices 204to the one or more transformers 210 is done to convert the AC at a lowvoltage into a DC at a low voltage enabling it to be supplied to the oneor more electrochemical devices 214. The one or more electrochemicaldevices vary their electrochemical reaction rates in accordance withchemical thermodynamics (described in paragraphs 0010 and 0011) as afunction of grid voltage changes causing changes in the low voltage DCthereby decreasing or increasing the current loading the one or moreelectrochemical devices place upon the grid.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, one or moreelectrochemical devices 214 are connected to the neutral Wye terminal ofone or more transformers 210 connected to the grid. The neutral circuitwill normally have zero voltage. However, when the grid is affected byan external event (as described in paragraphs 0003, 004, and 0005) thatinduces voltage in the neutral circuit, the electrochemical deviceconnected to this circuit will automatically begin an electrochemicalreaction once the voltage rises to the standard reference potentialovervoltage level and the electrochemical reaction rate will increaseexponentially with increasing induced voltage above the standardreference potential overvoltage. This provides a load upon the neutralcircuit which will retard the voltage increase being induced in thecircuit by the external event. In an embodiment of the method, multipleelectrochemical devices may be connected in a series or parallelconfiguration. Alternatively, multispecie electrochemical devices may beconnected separately or in combination to maximize theelectrochemical-reaction rate within the electrochemical devices.Maximizing that reaction rate increases the rate at which a load isadded to the neutral circuit and maximizes the ability of the system toprevent excessive induced voltages from external events. Multispecieelectrochemical devices are multiple combinations of electrolyzers andelectrolyzers with multiple electrochemical reactions taking place inthe same electrolyzer, which may be of different kinds and connected inseries and/or parallel. The electrolyzers are provided as best suitedto: (i) the particular transmission line, including its length; (ii)expectations of induced energy and rate of rises in either or bothvoltage and current; and (iii) and the type of pulses to be handled,such as geo-magnetically induced pulses.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, each of the one ormore electrochemical devices 214 are coupled to the one or morerectifying devices 212 in series or in parallel configuration.

In an embodiment to the method, the one or more electrochemical devices214 are configured to perform electrolysis of the one or more chemicalspecies at a potential equal to or above the standard referencepotential overvoltage. In an embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, one or more electrochemical devices 214 is a waterelectrolysis unit. In an embodiment of the present method disclosure,one or more electrochemical devices 214 is an electrolytic metal platingbath. In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, one ormore electrochemical devices 214 is an electrolytic metal refiner.

FIG. 3B illustrates a block diagram 350 showing various units of a DCgrid-voltage-control system 258, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present method disclosure. It may be noted that to explain thesystem elements of FIG. 3B, references will be made to the systemelements of FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B. In addition, the components ofthe DC grid-voltage-control system 258 are collectively configured forautomatically controlling the grid voltage of the electrical grid system202. In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the componentscorrespond to the one or more units 208 a of the grid-voltage-controlsystem 208. The DC grid-voltage-control system 258 includes one or moretransformers 210, one or more electrochemical devices 214, one or morestorage units 216, and a voltage support unit 220. The above statedcomponents of the DC grid-voltage-control system 258 collectivelyperform the automatic control of the grid voltage of the DC electricgrid-voltage-control system in the same manner and method as the ACelectrical grid system 208 with the exceptions that rectifying devices204 are not needed to transform the step down transformer output to DCand that inverters 308 are not needed to transform the electric powergenerated by hydrogen fuel cells into AC to be provided to the grid 202.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram 400 showing various units ofgrid-voltage-control systems 208 and 258, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present method disclosure. It may be noted that toexplain the system elements of FIG. 4, references will be made to thesystem elements of FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B. In an embodiment of thepresent method disclosure, one or more reaction products produced by oneor more electrochemical devices 214 include hydrogen and oxygen producedby the disassociation of water into its elemental and gaseous componentsof hydrogen and oxygen. In addition, each reaction product of the one ormore reactions products is stored in a corresponding storage unit 222.In another embodiment, one or more storage units contains reserveaqueous electrolyte at a pressure head sufficient to replenish theelectrochemical device when needed.

Moreover, the method provides that the one or more reaction products areproduced and stored in one or more separate storage units 222, 302, and304 on a consistent basis during nominal grid voltage conditionsensuring that a stockpile of the one or more reaction products will beavailable for contingency use by the method's voltage support unit 220when that unit is desired to operate automatically during transientundervoltage conditions or is desired to operate manually at any time atthe discretion of a local or remote grid operator. Stored reactionproducts in an amount excess to the contingency power production gridreliability needs of the grid owner may be withdrawn and used by theowner at any time for any commercial or otherwise beneficial process orpurpose at the discretion of the owner.

The method also provides storage capacity for the one or more reactionproducts that is sized to accommodate the increased production rate ofreaction products that will occur when the grid voltage increases aboveits nominal level.

Going further, one or more electrochemical devices 214 is associatedwith and connected to the corresponding one or more storage units 222.through any common, pressure retaining connecting medium that does notappreciably react with the reaction products, including but not limitedto copper tubing or pipe, high density polyethylene plastic pipe, orsteel pipe or any other medium commonly used in the trade to transportpressurized hydrogen or oxygen.

Furthermore, each of the one or more storage units 222 is configured forstoring each of the one or more reaction products produced from theelectrolysis of water in the one or more electrochemical devices 214. Inan embodiment of the present method disclosure, each reaction product ofthe one or more reaction products is stored in a separate storage unitof the one or more storage units 222. In another embodiment of thepresent method disclosure, hydrogen is stored in a hydrogen storage unit302 of the one or more storage units 222. In yet another embodiment ofthe present method disclosure, oxygen is stored in an oxygen storageunit 304 of the one or more storage units 222.

The method provides for the connection of the reaction products storageunits 222 to the one or more voltage support units 220 for the purposeof generating electric power as a contingency voltage support measurefor the grid when a combination of independent events causingundervoltage transients is so severe that the decrease of grid loadingby the one or more electrochemical devices cannot offset the continuingvoltage drop and there is risk of the grid becoming de-energized. Inthis embodiment a connection between the one or more storage units 222and the one or more voltage support units 220 is opened automatically orunder the control of a local or remote operator to utilize them toprovide voltage support to the electrical grid system 202 during thegrid under-voltage condition. The method also provides automatic supplyof the reaction products to the voltage support units by interposing oneor more normally-closed, fail-open DC powered isolation valves in thepiping or tubing connecting the one or more storage units to one or morethe voltage support units with the DC power to the valves being suppliedby a connection to the DC circuit that powers the one or moreelectrochemical devices so that when the voltage drops to a level belowthe standard reference potential overvoltage and the circuit currentdrops to zero, or when a local or remote operator disconnects the DCcircuit, the current to the valves will be insufficient to hold thevalves in their normally closed position and they will fail to the openposition thereby permitting the flow of reaction products from thestorage units to the one or more voltage support units.

The method uses one or more electrochemical devices 214 capable ofpressurizing the gaseous reaction products to a pressure aboveatmospheric pressure. In an embodiment to the method, the method usesone or more electrochemical devices that produce reaction products atatmospheric pressure and passes the reaction products through one ormore, separate, product specific compressors before passing the reactionproducts to the one or more storage units 222. The one or morecompressors are mechanical devices which increase the pressure of gasesby reducing volume. In addition, the method allows the compressors to beof any type of compressor in common use provided the compressormaterials are essentially inert to reactions with the reaction productbeing compressed, gas tight, and spark-resistant. Suitable compressorsinclude but are not limited to gas-driven compressors, centrifugalcompressors, diagonal or mixed flow compressors, axial flow compressors,reciprocating compressors, rotary screw compressors, rotary vanecompressors, scroll compressors, diaphragm compressors and the like.

In one embodiment to the method, the voltage support unit includes oneor more hydrogen fuel cells 306 that use hydrogen as fuel in a reactionwith ambient air or the stored oxygen to generate DC electrical power.This power can be transformed by one or more inverters 308 into AC andtransferred to an AC grid through one or more transformers 210 that stepup the voltage to grid specifications. In another embodiment, thevoltage support unit includes one or more hydrogen fuel cells 306 thatuse hydrogen as fuel in a reaction with ambient air or the stored oxygento generate DC electrical power. This power can be transferred to a DCgrid through one or more transformers 210 that step up the voltage togrid specifications without need for an inverter. In another embodiment,the voltage support unit includes one or more hydrogen combustion-driventurbogenerators to generate low voltage AC electrical power. This powercan be transferred to an AC grid through one or more transformers 210that step up the voltage to grid specifications. In yet anotherembodiment, the voltage support unit includes one or more hydrogencombustion-driven turbogenerators to generate low voltage AC electricalpower. This power can be transformed to low-voltage DC by one or morerectifying devices 212 and transferred to a DC grid through one or moretransformers 210 that step up the voltage to grid specifications.

Accordingly, the voltage support unit 220 is electrically coupled to theelectrical grid system 202. In an embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, the voltage support unit 220 is electrically coupled to theelectrical grid system 202 through the one or more transformers 210, andthe one or more rectifying devices 212. Moreover, the coupling of thevoltage support unit 220 and the electrical grid system 202 is donethrough any common type of electrical power medium rated for the voltageservice, including but not limited to metallic cable or metallic busbars. The method further provides that, the voltage support unit 220utilizes the oxidation and the reduction of the one or more reactionproducts in either one or more combustion-driven electricalturbogenerators or one or more hydrogen fuel cells to produce electricalpower when the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 202 decreasesbelow a specified, pre-defined, low voltage operating design limit.Furthermore, the voltage support unit 212 is configured to operateautomatically when the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 202drops below the specified, pre-defined low level for the grid voltage.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the rate of theelectrolysis reaction of the one or more electrochemical devices 206begins to decrease when the grid supplied voltage begins to drop belowthe nominal operating voltage of the electrical grid system 202.Accordingly, when the voltage drops below the standard referencepotential overvoltage, the flow of current inside each of the one ormore electrochemical devices 206 stops.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure of the chemicalthermodynamics of the method, the grid voltage control unit 210 reducesor increases the electrical demand of the load by utilizing Nernstianbehavior of labile ions of the electrochemical system applicable at aconcentration and electrode conditions of each of the one or moreelectrochemical devices 206 coupled to the electrical grid system 102.In another embodiment of the present method disclosure, Nernstianbehavior is utilized to reduce the load coupled to the electrical gridsystem 102 and thereby increase the grid voltage during transientunder-voltage conditions. In another embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, Nernstian behavior is utilized to increase the load coupledto the electrical grid system 102 and thereby decrease the grid voltageduring transient over-voltage conditions.

Going further, the purpose of automatically controlling of the gridvoltage of the electrical grid system 102 is transferred to the voltagesupport unit voltage support unit 212 of the grid-voltage-control system106 when the grid voltage decreases below the specified emergencyseparation level of the grid voltage. The voltage support unit voltagesupport unit 220 is configured to then provide sufficient contingencypower for black start restart of power generating stations or foremergency power to selected, priority grid loads. In addition, ifdesired by the transmission system operator, the purpose of controllingof the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 102 can be manuallytransferred to the voltage support unit 220 of the grid-voltage-controlsystems 208 and 258 at any time at the discretion of the transmissionsystem operator. The voltage support unit voltage support unit 220 isconfigured to then provide contingency power to augment normalgeneration sources and thereby raise the grid voltage. In addition, thevoltage support unit 220 utilizes the one or more reaction productsproduced from the electrolysis of water to provide contingency power andraise the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 202.

In an embodiment to the method the voltage support unit 220 is alsoconfigured to raise the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 202by utilizing one or more fuel cells 306 to generate contingency electricpower which can be transferred to the electrical grid system 202 asdescribed in paragraph 0088. In an embodiment to the present disclosure,the voltage support unit 220 raises the grid voltage of an electricalgrid system by utilizing the one or more fuel cells 232 by providinghydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit 230 to each of the one or morefuel cells 232 and adding oxygen from the oxygen storage unit 228 toeach of the one or more fuel cells 232. Accordingly, the voltage supportunit 220 raises the grid voltage of the electrical grid system 202 byinducing reaction of the hydrogen and the oxygen in each of the one ormore fuel cells 306.

Further, each of the one or more fuel cells 306 is associated with oneor more valves for enabling supply of the hydrogen from the one or morehydrogen storage units 302 and the oxygen from the one or more oxygenstorage unit 304. In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, thevalves are opened automatically when the current in each of the one ormore electrochemical devices 214 drops to zero.

Further, the increase in the loading on the electrical grid system 102retards the increase in the grid voltage during the transientover-voltage condition. In an embodiment of the present methoddisclosure, each of the one or more electrochemical devices 214 isconfigured to increase the loading on the electrical grid system 202 byutilizing the Nernstian behavior of each of the one or moreelectrochemical devices 214 coupled to the electrical grid system 202and retard the increase in grid voltage of the electrical grid system202 by utilizing the increase in the loading on the electrical gridsystem 202.

In addition, one or more electrochemical devices 214 is configured tocapture the excessive amount of the electrical energy from theelectrical grid system 202, convert the captured excessive amount of theelectrical energy into chemical potential energy and storing thepotential energy in one of the storage units 222. Further, each of theone or more electrochemical devices 206 enable the increase in theloading on the electrical grid system 102 by utilizing the Nernstianbehavior of the labile ions of the electrochemical system applicable atthe concentration and the electrode conditions of each of the one ormore electrochemical devices 214 coupled to the electrical grid system202.

Also, the voltage support unit 220 utilizes the Nernstian behavior ofthe labile ions of the electrochemical system applicable at theconcentration and the electrode conditions of each of the one or moreelectrochemical devices 214 coupled to the electrical grid system 202 tocontrol the grid voltage within the design and the operating limitswithout needing voltage monitoring or operator action. In an embodimentof the present method disclosure, no manual action is required to betaken by a grid operator for reducing the excessive voltage on theelectrical grid system 202.

In an embodiment of the present method disclosure, the one or moreelectrochemical devices 214 are connected in parallel with differingproportionate DC supply voltages for suppressing large magnitudeovervoltage transients. Also, the parallel connection enables each ofthe one or more electrochemical devices to always be in the Nernstianconditions acting as a buffer to retard the increasing grid voltage.Further, a multi species and multi electrode reduction system can beused for large magnitude overvoltage transients for utilizing a varietyof redox potentials to provide overlapping Nernstian behavior forvoltage buffering.

The present method and system provided in the disclosure has manyadvantages over the prior art. As mentioned above, the method'sgrid-voltage-control system automatically controls the grid voltage ofthe electrical grid system both during transient under-voltage andover-voltage conditions. The present system and method allows the gridoperator not to have to perform any manual operation on the electricalgrid system to raise or reduce the grid voltage during dynamic,transient circuit change events to have the grid voltage return to theprevious nominal level. Further, the present method accomplishes this byrelying solely upon the impermutable natural law of fixed,characteristic chemical thermodynamics that reflects the Nernstianbehavior of labile ions in an electrochemical devices to add or reducethe loading on an electric circuit in opposition to transient voltagechanges to return the electrical system to nominal conditions Also, thepresent method reduces the pollution in the environment by not emittingharmful pollutants during generation of contingency electric power.Also, the present system and method does not adversely impact localecosystems.

The invention may also be described in the following numberedparagraphs.

1. A buffer system for buffering the voltage of an electric powertransmission and distribution (EPTD) system that undergoes transientvoltage changes, comprising:

at least one electrochemical device that places a new load on the EPTDsystem by being electrically connected to that system so that electricalcurrent flows from the EPTD system to the electrochemical device; and

wherein the at least one electrochemical device is constructed to causeat least one reaction to occur within it, thereby varying the new loadplaced upon the EPTD system as the increasing and decreasing transientvoltage changes occur and causing changes in the electrical current fromthe EPTD system to the electrochemical device in a manner that retardstransient voltage changes in the EPTD system that would occur in theabsence of the buffer system.

2. The buffer system of paragraph 1, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed with a voltage buffer capacity, iselectrically connected to the EPTD system, and is constructed to providefeedback generated by electrochemical reaction.

3. The buffer system of paragraph 2, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed to provide feedback generated bythe chemical thermodynamics of the electrochemical reaction.

4. The buffer system of paragraph 1, further including the EPTD system.

5. The buffer system of paragraph 2, wherein the electric currentassociated with the EPTD is chosen from the group consisting ofalternating current and direct current.

6. The buffer system of paragraph 3, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed as a water electrolyzer, andfurther includes an electric turbogenerator in electrical connectionwith the EPTD system; a supply of water for use with the electrolyzer toallow a water electrolysis to occur; a combustible fuel produced by thewater electrolysis to drive the electric turbogenerator to producealternating current (AC) electric power for delivery to the EPTD system.

7. The buffer system of paragraph 6, wherein the EPTD system transmitsdirect current (DC) electric power, and further including a current andvoltage transformation subsystem that is constructed to transform the ACproduced by the electric turbogenerator into DC at a voltage appropriatefor delivery to the EPTD system.

8. The buffer system of paragraph 2, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed to use chemical thermodynamics toretard EPTD voltage transients chosen from the group consisting ofincreasing and decreasing ones and, thereby, to cause the transient EPTDvoltage to remain within one or more pre-specified voltage ranges.

9. The buffer system of paragraph 2, wherein at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed to use chemical thermodynamics toretard EPTD voltage transients chosen from the group consisting ofincreasing and decreasing ones and, in combination with the electricpower provided by one or more voltage support units, to cause thetransient EPTD voltage to remain within one or more pre-specifiedvoltage ranges.

10. The buffer system of paragraph 1, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed as plural devices chosen from thegroup consisting of multi-specie electrochemical devices andelectrochemical devices electrically connected in series and parallel,and wherein the plural devices are constructed to buffer the voltage ofthe EPTD system without requiring an increase in the physical dimensionsof the devices.

11. The buffer system of paragraph 2, wherein the voltage buffercapacity is constructed to be higher than the voltage buffer capacityrequired to buffer voltage rises from loss of loads in the EPTD system.

12. The buffer system of paragraph 2, wherein the voltage buffercapacity is constructed to buffer the voltage of the EPTD system and,thereby, to protect the EPTD system from overvoltage conditions chosenfrom the group consisting of events caused by nature and by humans.

13. The buffer system of paragraph 1, wherein the EPTD system includes aneutral circuit, and the at least one electrochemical device iselectrically connected to the neutral circuit and is constructed toprotect the EPTD system from an overvoltage.

14. The buffer system of paragraph 13, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed to protect the EPTD system from anovervoltage caused by external source of energy.

15. The buffer system of paragraph 1, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is electrically connected to the EPTD system in away that provides Ancillary services as defined by the United StatesFederal Energy Regulatory Commission to the EPTD system, and wherein theAncillary services are chosen from the group consisting of supplementalreserve capacity, voltage regulation, reactive power, and black-startcapability.

16. A buffer system for buffering the voltage of an electric circuit(EC) system that undergoes transient voltage changes, comprising:

at least one electrochemical device that places a new load on the ECsystem by being electrically connected to that system so that electricalcurrent flows from the EC system to the electrochemical device; and

wherein the at least one electrochemical device is constructed to causeat least one reaction to occur within it, thereby varying the new loadplaced upon the EC system as the increasing and decreasing transientvoltage changes occur and causing changes in the electrical current fromthe EC system to the electrochemical device in a manner that retardstransient voltage changes in the EC system that would occur in theabsence of the buffer system.

17. The buffer system of paragraph 16, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed with a voltage buffer capacity, iselectrically connected to the EC system, and is constructed to providefeedback generated by electrochemical reaction.

18. The buffer system of paragraph 17, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed to provide feedback generated bythe chemical thermodynamics of the electrochemical reaction.

19. The buffer system of paragraph 16, further including the EC system.

20. The buffer system of paragraph 19, wherein the electric currentassociated with the EC is chosen from the group consisting ofalternating current and direct current.

21. The buffer system of paragraph 20, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed as a water electrolyzer, andfurther includes an electric turbogenerator in electrical connectionwith the EC system; a supply of water for use with the electrolyzer toallow a water electrolysis to occur; a combustible fuel produced by thewater electrolysis to drive the electric turbogenerator to producealternating current (AC) electric power for delivery to the EC system.

22. The buffer system of paragraph 21, wherein the EC system transmitsdirect current (DC) electric power, and further including a current andvoltage transformation subsystem that is constructed to transform the ACproduced by the electric turbogenerator into DC at a voltage appropriatefor delivery to the EC system.

23. The buffer system of paragraph 19, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed to use chemical thermodynamics toretard EC voltage transients chosen from the group consisting ofincreasing and decreasing ones and, thereby, to cause the transient ECvoltage to remain within one or more pre-specified voltage ranges.

24. The buffer system of paragraph 19, wherein at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed to use chemical thermodynamics toretard EC voltage transients chosen from the group consisting ofincreasing and decreasing ones and, in combination with the electricpower provided by one or more voltage support units, to cause thetransient EC voltage to remain within one or more pre-specified voltageranges.

25. The buffer system of paragraph 16, wherein the at least oneelectrochemical device is constructed as plural devices chosen from thegroup consisting of multi-specie electrochemical devices andelectrochemical devices electrically connected in series and parallel,and wherein the plural devices are constructed to buffer the voltage ofthe EC system without requiring an increase in the physical dimensionsof the devices.

26. The buffer system of paragraph 17, wherein the voltage buffercapacity is constructed to be higher than the voltage buffer capacityrequired to buffer voltage rises from loss of loads in the EC system.

27. The buffer system of paragraph 17, wherein the voltage buffercapacity is constructed to buffer the voltage of the EC system and,thereby, to protect the EC system from overvoltage conditions chosenfrom the group consisting of events caused by nature and by humans.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present methodand technology have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent technology to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the present technology and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe present technology and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isunderstood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents arecontemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but suchare intended to cover the application or implementation withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the claims of the presenttechnology.

While several possible embodiments of the invention have been describedabove and illustrated in some cases, it should be interpreted andunderstood as to have been presented only by way of illustration andexample, but not by limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of apreferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-describedexemplary embodiments.

1. A method for buffering the voltage of an electric circuit (EC) systemthat undergoes transient voltage changes during use as a result ofvariances in loads on, or power to, the system, comprising: placing anew load upon the EC system by electrically connecting at least oneelectrochemical device to the EC system by a direct current (DC) circuitwhose voltage varies in proportion to the voltage of the EC system witha factor of proportionality selected to control the electrical currentflows from the EC system to the electrochemical device during transientvoltage changes; utilizing a voltage control system in communicationwith the at least one electrochemical device, thereby resulting in atleast one electrochemical reaction to occur within the at least oneelectrochemical device; varying the new load placed upon the EC systemvia the voltage control system as transient voltage changes occur in theEC system; and changing the electrical current from the EC system to theelectrochemical device via the voltage control system in a manner thatmaintains a constant EC voltage by retarding transient voltage changesin the EC system that would occur in the absence of the steps ofplacing, utilizing, and varying.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thestep of utilizing involves electrochemical reactions includes usingelectrolysis to produce a product that is a fuel; and further includesproducing alternating current (AC) electric power from an AC-powergenerator powered by the fuel, and delivering the AC electrical power tothe EC system.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fuel produced fromthe electrolysis produces DC-electric power from a hydrogen fuel cellpowered by the fuel, and further including the step of inverting the DCproduced by the DC-power fuel cell into AC electrical power, anddelivering the AC electrical power to the EC system.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the EC system transmits direct current (DC) electricpower, and further including the step of transforming the AC electricalpower produced by the AC-power generator into DC at a voltageappropriate for delivery to the EC system, and delivering the DCelectrical power to the EC system.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein theEC system transmits direct current (DC) electric power, and furtherincluding the step of transforming the DC produced by the DC-power fuelcell into high voltage DC, and delivering it to the EC system.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrochemical device issized to allow an amount of EC voltage control by reducing the magnitudeof transient voltage changes, and the amount of EC voltage controlenables adjustment to the EC system that results in a zero derivative ofEC current with respect to EC voltage before the voltage transientexceeds the limits of a desired control range.
 7. The method of claim 1,further including the step of connecting one or more voltage supportunits to the EC to provide electric power to the EC and wherein the atleast one electrochemical device applies chemical thermodynamics and theone or more voltage support units provides electric power to retardincreasing and decreasing EC voltage transients to cause the transientEC voltage to remain within a pre-specified voltage range.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein the at least one electrochemical device has avoltage buffer capacity that is higher than a buffer capacity requiredto buffer voltage rises from loss of all loads in the EC system.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the EC system includes neutral circuitry andthe at least one electrochemical device is constructed with a buffercapacity to buffer the voltage of the EC system neutral circuitry toprotect the EC system from overvoltage conditions caused bygeomagnetically-induced voltage transient events.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, further including the step of providing one or more ancillaryservices to the EC system that are chosen from the group consisting ofsupplemental reserve capacity, voltage regulation, reactive power, andblack-start capability as defined by the U. S. Federal ElectricRegulatory Commission.
 11. A method for passively controlling thevoltage of an electric power transmission and distribution (EPTD) systemthat includes a transmission line with transmission-line voltage,experiences varying loads during use as a result of variances in loadson, or power to, the system, and undergoes transient voltage changes,comprising: placing a new load upon the EPTD system by electricallyconnecting at least one electrochemical device to the EPTD system sothat electrical current flows from the EPTD system to theelectrochemical device; utilizing a voltage control system incommunication with the at least one electrochemical device, therebyresulting in at least one electrochemical reaction to occur within theat least one electrochemical device; varying the new load placed uponthe EPTD system via the voltage control system as transient voltagechanges in the EPTD occur; using the rate of the at least oneelectrochemical reaction to control, via the voltage control system, thevoltage of the EPTD system through chemical thermodynamically-inducedchanges in the at least one electrochemical reaction rate; and as aresult of the using, changing the electrical current from the EPTDsystem to the electrochemical device via the voltage control system in amanner that maintains a constant EC voltage by retarding transientvoltage changes in the EPTD system that would occur in the absence ofthe steps of placing, utilizing, and varying.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the step of utilizing involves electrochemical reactionsincludes using electrolysis to produce a product that is a fuel; andfurther includes producing alternating current (AC) electric power froman AC-power generator powered by the fuel, and delivering the ACelectrical power to the EPTD system.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe fuel produced from the electrolysis produces direct current (DC)electric power from a hydrogen fuel cell powered by the fuel, andfurther including the step of inverting the DC produced by the DC-powerfuel cell into AC electrical power, and delivering the AC electricalpower to the EPTD system.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the EPTDsystem transmits direct current (DC) electric power, and furtherincluding the step of transforming the AC electrical power produced bythe AC-power generator into DC at a voltage appropriate for delivery tothe EPTD system, and delivering the DC electrical power to the EPTDsystem.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the at leastone electrochemical device is sized to allow an amount of EC voltagecontrol by reducing the magnitude of transient voltage changes, and theamount of EC voltage control enables adjustment to the EC system thatresults in a zero derivative of EC current with respect to EC voltagebefore the voltage transient exceeds the limits of a desired controlrange.
 17. The method of claim 11, further including the step ofconnecting one or more voltage support units to the EPTD to provideelectric power to the EPTD and wherein the at least one electrochemicaldevice applies chemical thermodynamics and the one or more voltagesupport units provides electric power to retard increasing anddecreasing EPTD voltage transients to cause the transient EPTD voltageto remain within a pre-specified voltage range.
 18. The method of claim11, wherein the at least one electrochemical device has a voltage buffercapacity that is higher than a buffer capacity required to buffervoltage rises from loss of all loads in the EPTD system.
 19. The methodof claim 11, wherein the EPTD system includes neutral circuitry and theat least one electrochemical device is constructed with a buffercapacity to buffer the voltage of the EPTD system neutral circuitry toprotect the EPTD system from overvoltage conditions caused bygeomagnetically-induced voltage transient events.
 20. The method ofclaim 11, further including the step of providing one or more ancillaryservices to the EPTD system that are chosen from the group consisting ofsupplemental reserve capacity, voltage regulation, reactive power, andblack-start capability as defined by the U. S. Federal ElectricRegulatory Commission.
 21. (canceled)
 22. A method for buffering thevoltage of an electric circuit (EC) system having a desired design oroperational voltage delivery range that undergoes transient voltagechanges during use as a result of variances in system physical oroperational configurations that change the loads placed upon, or thepower supplied to the system, with the method comprising: placing a new,normally energized load upon the EC system by electrically connecting atleast one electrochemical device to the EC system by a direct current(DC) circuit whose voltage varies in proportion to the voltage of the ECsystem with a factor of proportionality selected for; utilizing avoltage control system in communication with the at least oneelectrochemical device, thereby resulting in at least oneelectrochemical reaction to occur within the at least oneelectrochemical device with at least one electrochemical reaction rateoccurring at a rate that, when the EC system is at its nominal, desiredvoltage, is within the operational electrochemical reaction ratecapacity range of the electrochemical device and such capacity range ofthe one or more electrochemical devices is sized sufficiently to providean operational reaction rate range; varying the new load placed upon theEC system as transient voltage changes occur in the EC system via thevoltage control system so that upon an EC system voltage transientevent, the reaction rate can vary according to chemical thermodynamicsincreasing or decreasing in ion transfer across the electrochemicaldevice; and changing the electrical current from the EC system to theelectrochemical device via the voltage control system in a manner thatforces the derivative of the EC system current with respect to EC systemvoltage following a voltage transient event to become zero and therebyconstrain the EC system voltage within a desired design or operatingvoltage range of the EC system without requiring either operatormonitoring and intervention or an active electro-mechanical monitoringand control device that otherwise revise the configuration of the ECsystem loads or power supplies to obtain that zero derivative as wouldoccur in the absence of the method's steps of placing, utilizing, andvarying transient voltage changes; and retarding, via the voltagecontrol system, transient voltage changes in the EC system that wouldoccur in the absence of the steps of placing, utilizing, and varying.